Kimberly Kim Is Proving That Confidence Is the New Comeback

Kimberly Kim never set out to follow anyone else’s script. Her greatest breakthrough didn’t come from landing a big role or signing with a powerful agent — it came from within.

“Later in life, I finally became the most comfortable in my own skin I’d ever been,” Kim shares. “Realizing that I am good enough and deserve to give myself a great life changed everything. All that matters is that I try, and that mindset was so freeing. It allowed me to chase my goals and have a blast doing it.”

That mindset has fueled the latest chapter of Kim’s career, one that proudly challenges the outdated belief that actresses fade from the spotlight after 40.

“I pinch myself every day,” she says, reflecting on the cultural shift that’s allowed women like Jennifer Lopez, Demi Moore — and now Kim — to thrive on screen.

“The paths our sisters have paved, and how society has evolved, have allowed audiences to want to see older women on screen, and wow, we have such amazing stories to tell,” Kim explains. “We don’t just have to disappear as we get older, which was the case for a long time. I hope it continues, because there is a huge market for us. We matter, and that has allowed us to become a driving force in the world.”

Kim’s background in finance gives her a unique perspective on the entertainment business. With recent credits in Modi and How to Divorce a Billionaire, she brings both artistry and strategy to her work.

“I’m not discriminatory when it comes to booking jobs. The majority of the work is actually booking the job… auditioning, preparing, networking, creating a product to sell,” she says. “And I do consider myself a product because in the end, this is a business, and you better have a darn good product that people will pay to see.”

Her professionalism on set mirrors that same mix of grit and gratitude.

“I want to entertain and bring value to the production, so I need to be on my A-game. That means being prepared, professional, flexible, reliable, and fun to be around,” Kim adds. “And bringing that grit to the character, only the uniqueness of me can bring, that’s what every actor should try to do.”

That drive has also led her into one of the industry’s fastest-growing corners — verticals.

“The best way to describe them is a cheaper version of soap operas,” she says. “It’s a great way to learn to be sharp and quick, probably more than you ever thought. This type of work moves really fast. There’s a lot of dialogue that’s very similar, and a lot of characters interacting. You might get one blocking rehearsal, and that’s it.”

The vertical short-drama market — also known as micro-dramas or duanju — has taken off globally, especially in China, where it recently surpassed ¥50 billion (roughly $6–7 billion) in 2024. Platforms like ReelShort have introduced the format to Western audiences, marking a shift toward mobile-first storytelling.

For Kim, the format’s intensity is both a challenge and a thrill.

“It’s a really good lesson in discipline and endurance,” she says. “You have to be prepared, know your lines, and dive right in. There’s not a lot of room for discussion, it’s fast, it’s intense, and it’s incredibly rewarding.”

Now, with experience and perspective, Kim approaches her career with ease and confidence.

“I’m much more relaxed about it all,” she admits. “I don’t get nervous like I used to. I don’t take ‘rejection’ personally. There are so many variables to why you don’t book a job; it’s a numbers game. You keep throwing darts at the wall until something sticks.”

She also embraces the role of mentor to emerging talent.

“I’ve really worked to be a mentor to younger actors,” Kim says. “I’ve lived it, and I also have a 24-year-old son, so I see what a lot of these young actors are dealing with.”

In an industry that once set limits on women’s relevance, Kimberly Kim stands as proof that reinvention has no expiration date — only new beginnings.